Electric switch with pivoting and wiping movable contractor

ABSTRACT

A contact wiping device utilizes compound rocking motion to shear and otherwise break welds between a set of contacts. A contactor support is rockably mounted upon the stage portion of a neutral terminal, and a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;V-shaped&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; movable contactor is thereupon rockably mounted. A spring loaded toggle lever actuator engages and directly bears upon the movable contactor to rock the contactor on the actuator support into selected circuit positions. After initial contact make, a lost motion connection between the actuator and contactor support is thereafter utilized to enable the actuator to begin rocking the support under the movable contactor thereby imparting compound rocking action to the contactor to shear and otherwise break any welds between the fixed contact and contactor.

United States Patet H 1 [111 3,852,557

Brown 1 Dec. 3, I974 1 ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PIVOTING AND Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer WIPING MOVABLE CONTRACTOR Assistant E.raminer-Gerald P. Tolin ,A F .R.Rth;W.. [75] Inventor: Harry W. Brown, Big Bend, WIS. Attorney gem or [rm H a er m A Autio [73] Assignee: Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee,

57 ABSTRACT [22] Flled: 1973 A contact wiping device utilizes compound rocking [2]] Appl. No.: 378,410 motion to shear and otherwise break welds between a set of contacts.

52 U.S. Cl 200/241, 200/153 v, 200/67 A, A contactor Support is rockably mounted p the 0 3 200/164 R stage portion of a neutral terminal, and a V-shaped 51 Int. Cl. t. H0lh 1/22 movable contactor is thereupon rockably mourned- A [58] Field of Search 200/6 R, 67, 153 G, 153 V, Spring loaded toggle lever actuator engages and 200/164 R, 164 A, 166 13,166 CT 241, 33 directly bears upon the movable contactor to rock the contactor on the actuator support into selected circuit [56] Referencescited positions. After initial contact make, a lost motion UNITED STATES PATENTS connection between the actuator and contactor support is thereafter utilized to enable the actuator to magi S il 2 begin rocking the support under the movable ar mg 3l6561 1 H1965 Hagbergm 200/153 V contactor thereby imparting compound rocking action 3 230 334 1,1966 Fiber ZOO/64 R to the contactor to shear and otherwise break any 323121800 4/1967 Mascioli... 200 1 R welds between the fixed contact and contactor.

3,521,013 7/1970 Baumanis 200/67 A 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEL BEE 74 ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PIVOTING AND WIPING MOVABLE CONTRACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION designed for this purpose are generally complicated requiring numerous parts which make the switch costly to manufacture and more susceptable to repair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general object of the invention' is to provide a toggle lever switch with an improved contact wiping device which separates sticky contacts and positively shears and breaks any welds therebetween after contact make. I

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple and compact contact wiping device having a minimum number or combination of parts which is efficient in operation and lends itself to miniaturization.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a contact wiping mechanism for toggle lever type switches which is capable of manufacture at low cost and so designed to be readily and easily assembled in mass productionpperatio n.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In describing the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the instant disclosurewherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toggle lever switch embodying the contact wiping mechanism of the present invention. I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the toggle lever switch in FIG. 1 further illustrating the contact wiping mechanism of the present invention and showing the toggle lever in a position where both electrical circuits are open. 1 7

FIG. 3 is a view partly in cross section taken along line 34 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 with the actuator closing one circuit and in a position to engage and laterally move the contactor support and movable contactor thereon. 1

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 with the actuator in weld break" position.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the contactor illustrating notches which straddle the contactor support.

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the contactor support and actuator of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a switch indicated generally at 10 having a toggle lever 12, a contactor support 14, a movable contactor 16, and a spring loaded actuator 17 constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

Switch 10 is provided with a housing 18 consisting of a pair of halves or portions abutting one another and providing a cavity therebetween for supporting and accommodating switch elements hereinafter described. Each portion of the housing is generally rectangular in shape and is provided with a recessed bottom wall 18a and sidewalls 18b forming an opening opposite bottom wall 180. The open sides of the housing halves face and abut one another and are clamped together by switch frame 26 which also covers the open top of the housing. Frame 26 is made of a suitable material, such as sheet metal or the like and is punched into the shape shown and fastened about the housing halves by bending ears 26a around the corners of vthe housing and against the opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 1. Each housing halve is provided with depressions for receiving these ears.

A hole 26b is provided centrally of frame '26 to receive bushing 27 which pivotally supports lever 12. Bushing 27 is rigidlysecured at its lower end-in the opening by peening'a reduced section thereof against the inner edge of opening 26b. Bushing 27 is also provided with an opening 27a, the upper end of which is provided with a constriction formed by internal rib 27b against which enlarged portion 12a "of lever 12 bears for pivoting action under force of spring 28 upon movement of lever 12. Bushing 27 is threaded on the outside and is provided with a keyway 270 to facilitate mounting of the switch in apanel aperture (not shown).

Referring further to the housing halves, the bottom wall 18a of each halve is provided with three spaced aper tures, including a center aperture 29 located centrally of the recessed portion 18a of housing 18 and two apertures 30 and 32 on either side thereof. The three apertures in the opposite housing halve are respectively in alignment with and connect with each other to secure switch contact ,terminals therein. It should be course .of toggle lever movement and will now be de-' scribed in detail. The switch mechanism includes a rocking typecontactor support 14 mounted on fixed terminal 38 for supporting roc' kable contactor 16 and a spring loaded actuator 17 incorporating a lost motion connection with the actuator which is operable upon actuation to wipe stationary switch contacts 40 and 42.

Terminal 38 is the neutral lead terminal secured in center aperture 29 of housing 18 and is designed to accommodate the aforementioned rocking members of the instantinvention. For this purpose, terminal 38 is generally cylindrically shaped having a stage or base portion 380 and a pedestal portion 38b upon which support 14 and contactor 16 are-rockably supported as shown in FIGS. 2-5, for circuit completing and interrupting purposes ,with fixed contact 40 and 42. Contacts 40 and 42 are secured in apertures 30 and 32, respectively and are provided with enlarged conducting portions 40a and 42a for making contact with contactor 16.

Both support 14 and contactor 16 are preferably formed of copper or fine silver or of a similar metal having good electrical conductivity and low contact resistance.

Support 14 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 7 and is shown as a generally U-shaped member having two vertically upstanding projections 14a, shoulders 14b and a base portion 140. Projections 14a have an enlarged ra-' dius at their free end which is abutted by actuator 17 during contact wiping action. Shoulders 14b provide a surface upon which the movable contactor initially rocks in response to actuator movement. Base portion 14c is provided with an aperture 14d to register support 14 on the base and pedestal portions 38a and 38b, respectively, of center contact terminal 38. Aperture 14d is relatively larger in diameter than pedestal portion 38b as can readily be seen in FIGS. 2-5 to enhance rocking movement of support '14 relative thereto after contact make.

Movable contactor 16 is made of a rigid copper strip having notches 16a in both sides of its midportion as shown in FIG. 6 for registering the contactor about projections 14a to permit seating'and bearing thereof on shoulders 14b. Contactor 16 is also suitably bent at its midportionso that arms 16b and 16c thereof will be separated from fixed contact terminals 40 and 42 when switch 10 is in the off position as shown in FIG. 2 and willpermit rocking and shifting action of the actuator as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 during switch actuation.

Actuator 17, shown in detail in FIG. 7, has a generally V-shaped runner for bearing upon actuator arms 16b and 16c and a flat horizontal upper surface for slidably receiving shank portion 12b within hole 17:: therein. Spring 28 encircling portion 12b bears against the flat horizontal upper surface at one end and against a boss 120 at the base of enlarged portion 12a at its opposite end to resiliently bias actuator 17 against contactor. 16 for allpositions of switch actuation.

Both the mid and lower sections 17b andv 17c of actuator '17 are recessed and reduced in thickness relative to end portions 17d to accommodate upstanding projections 14a therein and to form a-slot to create a lost motion connection there'between for causing contact wiping action when engaged by projections 14a after contact make and arcing have occured.

jections l4a'will 'move freely withinthe actuator slot.

- positive wiping action of contact 40 shearing and otheralso scrapes and removes foreign matter and products of oxidation therefrom. As can readily be seen, the outer edge portion of end portions 170. come to rest against sidewall 18b limiting further travel to the left by lever 12 and is releasibly locked thereagainst as result of the detenting action of actuator 17 and spring 28 on contactor 16. 7

Thus, from the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is a highly efficient and durable contact wiping device providing a controlled amount of contact wipe after contact make. It will also be readily recognized that the present invention is a substantial improvement over prior art devices in that its unique arrangement andinteraction of parts lends itself to economies of manufacture and makes it easily adaptable to very small miniature type toggle lever switches as well.

While the apparatus hereinbefore described in effectively adapted to fulfill the objects states, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be con fined to the particular preferred embodiment of the wiping contact switch disclosed, inasmuch as it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch, in combination:

an insulating housing,

a plurality of stationary contacts mounted relation in said housing,

a rigid movable contactor support member in circuit 'with and mounted in limited lateral rocking relation on one of 'saidstationary contacts,

a movable contactor pivotably mounted on said support member to selectively engage with the'other of said stationary'contacts, and

operating means comprising an actuating member for sliding on and'pivoting said contactor into'engagement with said other of said stationary contacts and having lost motion driving connections with said support member to engage with and rock said support member to slide said contactor on'each of said other of said stationary contacts followingengagement therewith. 1

2. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said one of said stationary contactsincludes a stage portion and a pedestal portion generallynorrnal thereto and wherein said movable contactor support member is provided with an opening to register about said pedestal portion. I 3. A switch according to claim 2 wherein said'contactor support member includes a-shoulder and an elongated neck extending generally normal thereto and wherein said movable contactor'is a generally rigid V- shaped conductive strip ada'ptedto seat'and rock about in spaced 7 the base of said neck on said shoulder.

4. A switch according to claim 3 wherein said operating means includes a manual toggle lever assembly captured externally of said switch base and a spring-biased actuator opposite thereto within said base'for bearing against and sliding onsaid V-shaped strip, and wherein said lost motion driving connection between said actuating member and said contactor support "member comprises spaced projection means on said actuating member for engaging said elongated neck. means on said support member upon moving said actuating member a preselected distance. 

1. In an electric switch, in combination: an insulating housing, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted in spaced relation in said housing, a rigid movable contactor support member in circuit with and mounted in limited lateral rocking relation on one of said stationary contacts, a movable contactor pivotably mounted on said support member to selectively engage with the other of said stationary contacts, and operating means comprising an actuating member for sliding on and pivoting said contactor into engagement with said other of said stationary contacts and having lost motion driving connections with said support member to engage with and rock said support member to slide said contactor on each of said other of said stationary contacts following engagement therewith.
 2. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said one of said stationary contacts includes a stage portion and a pedestal portion generally normal thereto and wherein said movable contactor support member is provided with an opening to register about said pedestal portion.
 3. A switch according to claim 2 wherein said contactor support member includes a shoulder and an elongated neck extending generally normal thereto and wherein said movable contactor is a generally rigid V-shaped conductive strip adapted to seat and rock about the base of said neck on said shoulder.
 4. A switch according to claim 3 wherein said operating means includes a manual toggle lever assembly captured externally of said switch base and a spring-biased actuator opposite thereto within said base for bearing against and sliding on said V-shaped strip, and wherein said lost motion driving connection between said actuating member and said contactor support member comprises spaced projection means on said actuating member for engaging said elongated neck means on said support member upon moving said actuating member a preselected distance. 